420 with CNW Archives - Page 77 of 305

FridayMay 26, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — NIDA Director Wants Cannabis Products Federally Regulated

According to a senior federal health official, cannabis products must be controlled as states continue to legalize marijuana. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, stated that while it would be ideal if states took their time enacting reform, the reality is that they are enacting reform and people need to know what they can do to lessen negative impacts. Volkow asserted that it is crucial to regulate the sale of products and inform the public about potential negative consequences. The official's remarks are noteworthy because, although she did not specifically demand federal reform, such a shift in policy would be required…

ThursdayMay 25, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Maryland Governor Enacts Bill Offering Parental Protections for Using Medical Marijuana

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a bill offering protections for parents and guardians who use medical marijuana. The bill prevents state officials from classifying parents who use medical marijuana for allowed conditions as being “neglectful” of their children. After Maryland voters voted in favor of a ballot measure to legalize medical cannabis last year, state lawmakers passed regulations for the commercial market, which were signed into law by the governor. The new bill protecting parents will take effect on July 1, 2023, the same day Maryland's medical marijuana market will launch and begin legal sales. The measures to protect…

ThursdayMay 25, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — AMA Study Says Medical Cannabis Causes Sustained, Significant Health Improvements

A recent study conducted by the AMA has revealed a significant relationship between the utilization of medical cannabis and notable enhancements in the quality of life experienced by individuals grappling with conditions like insomnia and chronic pain. In a comprehensive retrospective analysis, the researchers examined a sample of 3,148 individuals from Australia that had been prescribed medical cannabis to alleviate symptoms associated with various qualifying diseases. The study found that cannabis appeared to be beneficial for all eight well-being indicators that were examined, with negative side effects that were infrequently severe. Throughout their treatment, patients were tasked with assessing their…

WednesdayMay 24, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Michigan Officials Consider Scrapping Pre-Employment Cannabis Testing

Officials in the state of Michigan are considering putting an end to drug testing for cannabis for job applicants of certain government positions. Last week, the state’s Civil Service Commission put forward some amendments to the government’s code of employment on Friday and opened a public comment period on the pair of policies. This comes after the country’s largest union that represents federal employees adopted an initiative in support of cannabis legalization in 2022, and demanded that policies which penalized federal workers who use marijuana responsibly while they’re off the clock in legal states be repealed. Commentary from the public…

WednesdayMay 24, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Florida Supreme Court Considers 2024 Recreational Cannabis Legalization Initiative

Earlier this week, Attorney General Ashley Moody submitted a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis to the Florida Supreme Court. Smart & Safe Florida, a political committee that supports the rights of adults to buy, possess and use cannabis within reasonable regulations, is sponsoring the proposed amendment to the constitution. Thus far, the committee has gathered more than 222,000 signatures for its petition, which is more than enough to prompt a review by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court usually focuses on whether the language in the proposal is clear as well as if the proposed amendments to the constitution…

TuesdayMay 23, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Study Says Tobacco Use is Declining in States with Legal Marijuana Markets

A recent study has found that state-level marijuana policies are largely linked to modest, sporadic, longer-term declines in tobacco use among adults. The implementation of state recreational cannabis laws (RMLs) did, according to the research, result in a small increase in adult marijuana usage of between 2% to 4%, depending on the source of data. However, tobacco use did not follow this pattern. The results were published last month in the “Journal of Health Economics” by researchers from Bentley, Georgia State and San Diego State universities. They noted the study was the first to thoroughly investigate how legalizing marijuana for…

TuesdayMay 23, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Minnesota Legislators Build Consensus During Cannabis Legalization Committee Conference

During their first committee meeting last week, bicameral and bipartisan legislators ironed out some differences they had on cannabis legalization measures that were approved in both chambers in April. The members adopted some amendments on temporary regulations for hemp-derived CBD products and how the measures defined marijuana. Senate bill SF 73 was sponsored by Senator Lindsey Port while the House version, HF 100, was sponsored by Representative Zack Stephenson. Stephenson stated that he and Port were focused on finishing the job, noting that Minnesota’s current drug laws were doing more harm than good. The bills were identical in the beginning…

MondayMay 22, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Montana Legislators Send Cannabis Reform Measures to Governor

The Montana legislature passed several measures in the final hours of this year’s legislative session that, if Governor Greg Gianforte signs into law, will significantly impact the state's recreational marijuana market. A few new regulations, including one that is more lenient when it comes to edible THC testing and another that extends the moratorium on authorizing new operations until 2025, could benefit the industry. However, some, including a considerable increase in license renewal prices, may make it more difficult for businesses to operate. The legislature also blocked measures that would significantly impact the industry during the session, such as SB…

MondayMay 22, 2023 4:20 am

420 with CNW — Why Marijuana’s $100 Billion Economic Impact Varies by State

The recreational and medical marijuana markets continue to have a positive economic impact on the nation as a whole. However, the effects on individual states vary according to the size, maturity and nature of each market. Compared to certain larger, highly populated states with larger markets, some smaller, less populous states are seeing a stronger overall impact on the economy. Statistics from the just-released MJBizFactbook indicate that the total economic impact of cannabis sales in the United States is predicted to hit $100 billion this year, a rise of more than 12% from 2022. Marijuana sales could inject $17.6 billion…

FridayMay 19, 2023 4:20 pm

420 with CNW — Marijuana Banking Reform Prospects in US Senate Seem More Positive

The SAFE Banking Act, a bipartisan measure that was reintroduced last month, was recently discussed by the Senate Banking Committee. While the legislation has already been approved by the House of Representatives on numerous occasions, the Senate has never voted on the measure. This is despite Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voicing his support for the proposal. It is believed that if the bill were to advance to the president’s desk, he would sign it. The measure’s approval would prohibit federal banking regulators from penalizing financial institutions that provide basic banking services to cannabis businesses in legal states. Its introduction buoyed…